Best Authentic Restaurants in South Side

198 restaurants available nearby

1. Athena Restaurant

4.6

Exceptional(2829)

Price: Moderate

• Greek • Greektown

Booked 27 times today

Athena Restaurant is widely recognized for its authentic Greek cuisine. Reviews consistently mention its 'authentic' and 'traditional Greek' food. Customers even compare it to the home-cooked meals of Greek heritage. The restaurant's ambience, with its fine Greek architecture, adds to the authenticity. The high ratings for food, ambience, and service further reinforce the authenticity of the restaurant.

2. Acanto

4.8

Exceptional(3862)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Downtown / Loop

Booked 49 times today

Across from Millennium park and along Chicago’s Cultural Mile, Acanto Restaurant + Wine Bar is a treasured destination for those who appreciate authentic and approachable Italian food in a conversation-friendly atmosphere. Acanto serves seasonally-driven Italian cuisine from both regions of Italy utilizing artisanal ingredients from Midwest farmers and producers. Acanto boasts one of the most lauded wine programs in the US, including a 3-star rating by World of Fine Wine and a two-glass “Best of Excellence” rating by Wine Spectator. The libations menu is rounded out by Italian classics including spritzes and negronis along with craft cocktails, beer, and spirits. The word Acanto is the Italian translation of Acanthus, the flowery leaf featured prominently in Roman architecture. Famed architect Louis Sullivan used Acanthus in his distinctive terra cotta ornamentation found on the facade of the historically-landmarked building that houses Acanto.

3. Sepia

4.8

Exceptional(5388)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary American • West Loop

Booked 32 times today

Seamlessly melding refined and rustic, vintage and contemporary, Sepia has the feel of an instant classic. The stylish space is warm and inviting, comfortable yet lively. The easy elegance of the room serves as the perfect backdrop for the inventive American cuisine. Chef Andrew Zimmerman's product-driven, seasonal menu showcases the purity and quality of the ingredients, letting both the ingredients and his passion for what he does shine through. Sepia celebrates tradition – with a modern twist.To book reservations of 10 or larger, please email info@sepiachicago.com!

A photo of El Che Steakhouse & Bar restaurant

4. El Che Steakhouse & Bar

4.7

Exceptional(2108)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • West Loop

Booked 87 times today

Located just beyond the West Loop’s famed “restaurant row,” El Che Steakhouse & Bar is Chicago's go-to destination for steak, seafood, and live-fire cooking. The restaurant is modeled after Executive Chef/Partner John Manion’s fascination with Argentinean asados: traditional backyard barbecues surrounding the flame. A 12-foot custom-built grill serves as the centerpiece for this downtown asado which embraces South American-tinged meats, seasonal vegetables, fresh seafood, and of course, steak. The hearth also serves as the heart of the restaurant’s experiences such as dining at the Hearth Table. Join us for happy hour at our cocktail bar, featuring signature cocktails and fiery bar bites or indulge in a glass of wine from the country’s only South American wine list. No matter what you choose, El Che brings the heat seven nights a week.For large groups, private events, birthdays, or celebrations, email us info@elchechicago.com.

A photo of HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen restaurant

5. HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen

4.7

Exceptional(419)

Price: Expensive

• Vietnamese • Pilsen

Booked 70 times today

Experience elevated Vietnamese Cuisine in a an atmosphere that is chic, approachable, warm & inviting. Chef Thai & Danielle Dang’s critically acclaimed restaurant celebrates Vietnamese cuisine in the heart of a vibrant Chicago neighborhood, Pilsen. Five times recognized MICHELIN Bibb Gourmand & four James Beard nominations.Enjoy Chef Thai's famous Caramelized Fish Sauce Wings, his signature Whole Fried Fluke and one of the New York Times favorite dishes, HaiSous' Grilled Oysters ! Guests may also enjoy a special and seasonal Grand Tasting Tour, 3 curated courses with the option of an optional wine pairing or join us at the bar for Happy Hour.The more guests you bring, the more dishes you get to try! Great for groups.

A photo of CH Distillery | Jinsei Motto restaurant

6. CH Distillery | Jinsei Motto

4.8

Exceptional(311)

Price: Very Expensive

• Sushi • West Loop

Booked 16 times today

CH Distillery | Jinsei Motto in Chicago's West Loop – where expertly distilled spirits meet exquisite sushi. Enjoy our seasonal cocktails and a standout Omakase experience featuring dry-aged fish from Japan. Choose your ambiance: the lively front lounge with a beautifully lit bar and historic distilling tanks, or the serene back dining room with eclectic décor and an Omakase bar. Daily happy hour, whiskey/sake flights, and a patio setting provide diverse experiences. Open for lunch and Sundays, we cater to all occasions. Join us for unmatched culinary excellence and spirited adventures.

A photo of The Berghoff Restaurant restaurant

7. The Berghoff Restaurant

4.6

Exceptional(2541)

Price: Moderate

• German • Downtown / Loop

Booked 51 times today

---The Berghoff Restaurant is a Chicago landmark, serving German-style cuisine and culture since 1898. One of the oldest family-run businesses in the nation, now run by the fourth generation, Pete Berghoff. Today's Berghoff menus have evolved to add newer, lighter, and more contemporary dishes, but it's still the same old Berghoff, down to the famous root beer. In December 2018, the Berghoff family opened Adams Street Brewery, aptly named after the street they have called home for over a century, to nod to their brewing roots and commemorate the restaurant's 120th anniversary.

8. Bar Mar

4.6

Exceptional(990)

Price: Expensive

• Spanish • River North (Chicago)

Booked 83 times today

Fresh oysters piled on mounds of sparkling ice. Ceviches that taste of the ocean. Chef José Andrés’ brilliant renditions of iconic seafood classics like fried calamari and lobster rolls. Located at the Bank of America Tower in Chicago, Bar Mar is a true celebration of the bounty of the sea, with modern takes on classics you know and love, festive cocktails, and a bright, beautiful space that interweaves the nautical with the elegant. Beautiful private dining and events spaces available.

A photo of PERILLA steakhouse - Riverwalk restaurant

9. PERILLA steakhouse - Riverwalk

4.6

Exceptional(149)

Price: Very Expensive

• Korean • Downtown / Loop

Booked 45 times today

A modern interpretation of the classic Chicago steakhouse inspired by traditional Korean flavors. The MICHELIN-recognized PERILLA brand pays homage to the city’s iconic steakhouse roots while introducing a new iteration of the classic dining concept. Designed to be an energetic and explorative dining experience, the restaurant features custom grill tables and a one of a kind tasting menu featured on the Chef Counter.

A photo of Mercat a la Planxa - Located in The Blackstone Hotel, Chicago restaurant

10. Mercat a la Planxa - Located in The Blackstone Hotel, Chicago

4.3

Awesome(4923)

Price: Expensive

• Unspecified • South Loop

Booked 17 times today

Mercat offers an authentic dining experience that combines fresh meats and produces with the energetic spirit of a Barcelona market.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

J
Jamie
Chicago / Illinois •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Will be back!! It was delicious and nothing disappointed!
More info
El Che Steakhouse & BarPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• West Loop
•
4.7
K
Kristen
Greater Boston •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Both my partner and I got the Chef’s tasting tour and it was phenomenal! The wine pairing with it was excellent and the service was perfect. We’ll definitely be back!
More info
HaiSous Vietnamese KitchenPrice: Expensive• Vietnamese• Pilsen
•
4.7
E
Elizabeth
Chicago / Illinois •9 reviews
4.0
Dined 3 days ago
Lovely ambiance; great service and delicious food. And a Olive Oil Cake to die for!
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AcantoPrice: Expensive• Italian• Downtown / Loop
•
4.8
K
KerryVIP
Chicago / Illinois •16 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Our family had an absolutely fantastic dinner here! We opted for the tasting menu and, with four of us, decided to order one of everything on the menu. Every dish was phenomenal—beautifully prepared, with perfect plating that showcased the attention to detail. Alex, our server, took excellent care of us, and Jake, the sommelier, offered outstanding wine recommendations from their incredible wine list. We finished the evening with the cheese course paired with a fantastic bottle of wine—a perfect way to end the meal. On our way out, we stopped by the bar because we noticed some rare bottles on display. We ended up staying to try a couple of new ones, and the bartender’s knowledge and passion made the experience even better. We thoroughly enjoyed everything about our evening and will definitely be back!
More info
SepiaPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary American• West Loop
•
4.8
A
ANTHONYVIP
Chicago / Illinois •18 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 22, 2024
Excellent experience. Fresh seabass is the best. We loved the octopus salad. The lamb dishes are exceptional. The calamari was delicious and cooked to perfection.
More info
Athena RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Greek• Greektown
•
4.6

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Best Authentic Restaurants in South Side

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198 restaurants available nearby

1. Athena Restaurant

2. Acanto

3. Sepia

4. El Che Steakhouse & Bar

5. HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen

6. CH Distillery | Jinsei Motto

7. The Berghoff Restaurant

8. Bar Mar

9. PERILLA steakhouse - Riverwalk

10. Mercat a la Planxa - Located in The Blackstone Hotel, Chicago

See what locals rave about

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